Connector - universal

ABSTRACT

A universal connector assembly for a co-axial cable, or air line, including a pair of identical units, each mounted one one of the line sections to be connected, one of them having an inner sleeve fitted over the ends of both line sections at the juncture when the units are connected, and an outer coupling ring connectable to a fixed element in the other unit; also center contact means for connecting the center conductor, including a button on each, and each button including radially flexible fingers penetrable into its own center conductor and self-biased into engagement with the other button.

[451 July 25,1972

[54] CONNECTOR UNIVERSAL [72] Inventors: Weichien Chow, Park Forest;Jerry Provlnslty, Downers Grove, both of ill.

The Bunker-Ramo Corporation, Oak Brook, Ill.

[22] Filed: July 17, 1969 211 Appl.No.: 842,450

[73] Assignee:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l958 Testori .;...339/89 MX 4/1959 Archer et al ..339/48 4/1966 Badger ..339/48 X 8/ l 968 PrimaryExaminer-James A. Leppink Assistant Examiner-Terrell P. LewisAttorney-Frederick M. Arbuckle [5 7] ABSTRACT A universal connectorassembly for a co-axial cable, or air line, including a pair ofidentical units, each mounted one one of the line sections to beconnected, one of them having an inner sleeve fitted over the ends ofboth line sections at the juncture when the units are connected, and anouter coupling ring connectable to a fixed element in the other unit;also center contact means for connecting the center conductor, includinga button on each, and each button including radially flexible fingerspenetrable into its own center conductor and self-biased into engagementwith the other button.

20 Claim, 13 Drawing Figures Chow .339/49 B PATENIEUJULZBIEWZ" 73380.034

SHEET 1 [1F 3 I REACTION Y g RlNG IN VE N TORS WEICHIEN CHOW JERRYPROVINSK Y PATENTEUJIILZS I912 3.680.034

' sum 2-0: 3

INVENTURS WEICHIEN CHOW JERRY PROVINSKY BY fad/y ATT Y.

PAIENTEnJuL2'5m2 3.680.034

SHEET 3 'UF 3 7 7 gnl 0- 7 1 g- 11..

COUPLING SLEEVE COUPLING RING I NVENTORS WE/CH/EN CHOW JERRY PROVINSKY IBY 4.

ATT'Y.

CONNECTOR UNIVERSAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A broad object of theinvention is to provide a novel construction of universal connectormeans for connecting line sections, which includes a unit on each of thesections, the units being identical and each being connectable with theother, selectively, in identical manner.

Another object is to provide a connector construction of the foregoinggeneral character in the use of which it is not necessary topre-position the line sections in any special manner, or to place themin any special relative position, such as angular positioning, ortelescoping positioning, but only to place them together in end-to-endrelation which may be done by moving the sections into'that relation inany direction or from any position, including'direct sidewise movement,for connecting them together.

Still another object is to provide a connector assembly of the foregoingcharacter, in which when the units thereof are in connected position,there is a sleeve member of one of the connector units disposed over thejuncture of the line sections, whereby to improve physical constructionby improving the strength thereof, and prevent leakage ofradio-frequency signals.

Another object is to provide in a connector of the foregoing generalcharacter, identical connector units having outer rotatable members forperforming the direct connecting operation, and in which means isprovided for normally preventing rotation of those members, but in whichthat means is selectively releaseable to enable rotation of one of thosemembers while restraining the other, for facilitating the couplingoperation.

A still further object is to provide a connector assembly, and connectorconstruction, of the foregoing general character which is extremelysimple and of rugged construction, and in the use of which it is onlynecessary to pre-position the sections in only one kind of movement, inwhich the sections are placed in end-to-end position, and then to workup a member on only one of the connector units into connecting relationwith the other unit.

A further object is to provide a connector assembly of the foregoinggeneral character for use in a co-axial cable, which includes novelmeans for interconnecting the center conductors of the two sections ofthe cable to be connected.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a pair of connector units making up the connectorassembly of the invention, partially in axial sectional view, mounted onrespective sections of a line to be connected, but in spaced apart andunconnected condition;

FIG. 2 is a half-view, in axial section, with the adjacent portions ofthe respective units in butted relation, and the reaction ring in aselected one of the units in withdrawn position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the coupling ring in theselected unit in partially advanced position and the reaction ringreleased;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but with the coupling ring fullyadvanced and connected to the corresponding element of the oppositeconnector unit;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but with the connector units inoppositely oriented connected position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the retainer body of a connector unit;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partially in section, of the reactionbody;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tubular body;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the centering sleeve;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the coupling sleeve;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view partially in section, of the couplingring;

FIG. 12 is a half-view, in section, of the means for interconnecting thecenter conductors; and

FIG. 13 is a view taken at line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, the line havingsections to be connected, and the connector units mounted thereon, areduplicated and identical, and are given common reference numerals but inreferring to the individual ones thereof they may be identified as rightand "left" respectively, by the letters R and L.

The line to be connected is indicated at 10, and the sections at 12.This line may be an electrical line such as a co-axial cable, or airline. In the present instance the co-axial cable line of known characterincludes an outer conductor 14 and a center conductor 16.

For convenience, forward and rearward refer to axial directions, towardand from the end of the line section, respectively, and outer and innerrefer to radial directions, relative to the axis.

The connector assembly is made up of a pair of connector units 18, (seeFIG. I and other figures as indicated), each including a retainer body19 (FIG. 6), a reaction ring 20 (FIG. 7), a tubular body 21 (FIG. 8), acentering sleeve 22 (FIG. 9) thereon, a coupling sleeve 24 (FIG. 10) onthe centering sleeve, and an outer coupling ring 26 (FIG. 11).

The line section 12 at its forward end which is to be con nected with acounterpart line section, has an end surface 30 and a circumferentialgroove 32 spaced rearwardly therefrom.

The tubular body 21 has a main portion 38 fitted over the line section,a rear externally threaded segment 40, a forward portion 42 of lesserinternal diameter than the portion 38 forming a rearwardly directedshoulder 44 engaging the end surface 30 of the line section, and afurther reduced diameter portion 46 having a rearwardly facing shoulder48, and a forward end surface 49.

An annular insulator 50 of suitable and known kind, preferably rigid, isinterposed between the shoulder 48 and the end surface 30 of the linesection 12. The tubular body 21 in the functioning of the connectorassembly is unitary with the line section and forms an effectivelyintegral extension thereof. The line sections 12 in themselvesoriginally are of indeterminate length, but are cut to the desiredlengths according to the particular installation.

The center conductor 16 has a forward end surface 54 butted by theinsulator 50, and a bore 55 (FIG. 12) into which is inserted a carrier56 having a bore 57 receiving a center contact or button 58 of acharacter described below, these center contacts butting at 60, in acommon transverse cylindrical surface 62 at which the line sections, andunit themselves, meet or butt.

Reference is again made to the overall construction of the units 18. Thetubular body 21 (FIG. 8) at its rearward end has exterior threads 63 onthe segment 40 and radially projecting segments 66 (two in number),intermediate its ends. The retainer body 19 (FIG. 6) surrounds the linesection 12, having a counter bore 68 in which are internal threads 70threaded on the threads 62. The retainer body also includes an outercircumferential rib 72 and an axial slot or keyway 74 forwardly thereof.

Surrounding the retainer body 19 is the reaction ring 20 (FIG. 7) whichhas a radially inwardly directed key 78 extending into the keyway 74,and a lip 80 rolled over the rib 72. A coil spring 82 is compressedbetween the key 78 and rib 72. The reaction ring 20 is provided withforwardly extending teeth 84, preferably two in number spaced 180 apart.

The centering sleeve 22 (FIG. 9) is telescoped on the tubular body 21and its rearward end has a reduced portion 86 forming a shoulder 88,rearwardly beyond which is a circumferential groove 90 for receiving asplit retainer ring 92. This centering sleeve is provided withdiametrically opposed slots 94 receiving the projections 66, these slotsbeing formed between prongs 95. At the forward end this centering sleeveis provided with a circumferentially continuous segment 96 formingrearwardly facing shoulders 98.

The coupling sleeve 24 (FIG. 11) is telescoped over the centering sleeve22 and has a counterbore 100 receiving the segments 66 of the tubularbody 21 and is rolled at 101 over the segments, securing the members 24and 22 together. Preferably the rolled rib 101 is projected between thesegments 66 in anti-rotating relation (see I01L, FIG. 1). This couplingsleeve also is provided with external threads 102 at its forward end.

The coupling ring 26 (FIG. 11) has at its rearward end an inwardlyextending flange 104 received between the shoulder 88 and the retainerring 92, and at its forward end, internal threads 106 threadable ontothe threads 102, as referred to again hereinbelow. It also hasrearwardly axially extending teeth 107, preferably eight in number,meshing with the teeth 84.

Referring again to the center contacts 58 (FIGS. 12 and 13), eachincludes a body 108 having a longitudinal split 110 (FIG. 13) forenabling contraction thereof. The body has a forward end contactingsurface 112 lying in the transverse plane 62, a surrounding flange 114,which with a rearwardly spaced surrounding flange or rib 116 forms acircumferential groove 118. The contact or button 58 includes arearwardly inclined camming surface 117 and rearwardly and axiallyextending spring fingers 120, such as four in number.

The bore 57 in the carrier at its rearward end has a conical surface122, which may be of 45 inclination, and at its forward end'an internalcircumferential groove 124 defining a rearwardly facing shoulder 126,forwardly of which is an inwardly directed circumferential rib 128.

The contact or button 58 is inserted into the bore 57 in the carrier byprojecting the spring fingers 120 into the bore, these fingers having anouter envelope surface preferably less than, or at least no greaterthan, the inner surface of the rib 128; after the fingers themselveshave been projected into the bore, the inclined surface 117 engages theforward end surface of the rib 128, and in response to continuedrearwardly directed pressure, earns the fingers inwardly, the slot 110(FIG. 13) enabling this contraction, and thus enabling the rib 116 topass by the rib 128. Upon further movement a sufficient extent, the rib116 moves into the groove I24 and the inner ends of the fingers. 120engage the conical surface 122. The groove 118 is of axial dimensionsgreater than the rib 128, enabling limited axial movement of .thecontact 58 as defined by the end edges of the groove engaging thecorresponding end surfaces of the rib 128. In this movement andpreferably throughout the full range of that movement, the inner ends offingers 120 engage the inclined surface 122 for the purpose of normallybiasing the contact 58 axially forwardly, as referred to againhereinbelow, in the connecting operation.

In the overall utilization of the device of the invention, the units 18are applied to the line sections 12 which are to be connected together,the line sections being so dimensioned and applied to theinstrumentalities to which they are related in such a manner that theunits 18 have their outer opposed end faces (FIG. 2) in juxtaposition ifnot actually abutting. The normal position of the outer coupling rings26 is as represented in FIG. 1, and in that position, the teeth 107thereon are intermeshed with the corresponding teeth 84 on the reactionring 20. In such position of the coupling ring, it is prevented fromrotating because of the intermeshing of those teeth, the reaction ringbeing held against rotation by the key-keyway 78-74, the retainer body19 being held by friction in its threaded connection with the tubularbody 21, through the retainer ring 92 and end surface 30.

. To couple the two units together, one of them is arbitrarily selected,such as the left-hand one (FIG. I) and the reaction ring 20L thereof ismanually retracted as represented in FIG. 2, enabling the correspondingcoupling ring 26L to be moved forwardly as represented in FIG. 3; thisis done by spinning it or turning it to lead it up on the thread 102L,at least to the extent of removing it from its intermeshing relationfrom the teeth 84 of the reaction ring, and if desired, to a positionextending beyond the teeth NHL, and even projecting beyond the end faceof the coupling sleeve. Then after releasing the reaction ring 20L, andupon grasping the two coupling rings 26, the left one, 26L, is manuallyturned forward beyond the screw threads 102L on its own line segment andonto the threads 102R until it is drawn up tight thereon. In doing so,the inwardly directed flange 104L engages the shoulder 88L on thecentering sleeve 22L, the latter acting through the ring 92L andretainer body 19L, the latter in turn acting through the retainer ring92L, pulling up the corresponding section 12L of the line. When theouter coupling ring 26L is drawn up,

its own flange 104L engages the corresponding coupling sleeve 24L, andthe two coupling sleeves (L and R), draw up the sections of the line asjust described. In a coupling operation there is a natural tendency fora person to turn the outer coupling rings 26 in opposite directions; ifnot deliberately, at least each would be a reaction against the intendedturning of the other, but in the use of the present device, the onecoupling ring (26R) is held against turning as described, and serves asa reaction means.

The internal flange I04L, engaging moves the centering sleeve 22L in themanner stated to move it up into its intended position, as representedin FIG. 4.'This centering sleeve provides added mechanical strength inproviding a single tubular element encompassing both tubular bodies 21L,21R. Additionally the centering sleeve prevents,

or greatly minimizes, unwanted leakage of radiofrequency signals. Uponthus connecting the units, they provide a continuous and effectivelyintegral, and strong line.,When the units are in connected condition,the end surfaces 49 of the tubular bodies interengage firmly in theplane 62 and determine that plane, and the center contact buttons 58 arebiased forwardly into interengagement in that same plane, yielding tothe extent necessary to assure the desired engagement between thesurfaces 49.

FIG. 4 shows the line when connected in the manner described above,i.e., with the left coupling ring run up and connected to the otherunit. In accordance with the universality of the device, the othercoupling ring 26R can be connected to the left unit, as shown in FIG. 5.

When the parts of each connector unit are in retracted position as inFIG. 1, the exposed ends 49 of the line sections are forwardmost, or atleast as far forward as any surface, and the sections to be connectedmay be moved into position from any direction, whether sidewise,longitudinally, or in any other direction. It is not necessary topreliminarily pre-position the sections in any special manner such as bytelescoping them, angularly positioning them, or placing them in anycertain position for the purpose of turning up the coupling rings, otherthan to merely bring the ends of the line sections together.

Normally the parts are in retracted position, preparatory to connecting,and hence it is not necessary for the service man in the field to firstmove any of the parts to any certain position before aligning the linesections, he merely aligns them and turns up one of the coupling rings.

We claim:

' l. A connector assembly for use in connecting a pair of line sections,including identical connector units on the sections,

each unit including a threaded inner coupling sleeve surrounding theline section in spaced relation thereto and fixed axially thereon, and athreaded outer coupling ring on the inner coupling sleeve movableaxially on the line section forwardly from a retracted position to anadvanced position wherein it projects forwardly beyond the end of theinner coupling sleeve, a centering sleeve betweenthe line section andthe inner threaded coupling sleeve and closely fitting the line section,the outer coupling ring being threadable onto the inner coupling sleeveon the other line section, and when so threaded being operative formoving the centering sleeve into telescoping relation over adjacentportions of both line sections, whereby the outer coupling ring and theinner coupling sleeve on which it is threaded, and the centering sleevein telescoping relation as stated, form a continuous composite componentengaging both sections of the line and form an effective continuousrigid line of the sections.

2. A connector assembly according to claim I wherein the outerthreadedmember is threaded on the inner member of its the shoulder 88L,

own unit, and positionable axially rearwardly from the forward endthereof, whereby to enable threading of the outer member of either unitonto that inner threaded member of the other unit.

3. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein each inner threadedmember is secured on its line section and has an axially forwardterminal portion forming an effective forward end of the line section,the two line sections being arranged for alignment and end-to-endabutment of the inner threaded members, the outer threaded members beingindividually movable each beyond its own inner threaded member and intotelescoping relation to the other, whereby to encompass the two innerthreaded members to form a continuous effectively single line.

4. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein each unit includesa tubular body secured to the line section and having a plurality ofcircumferentially discontinuous radially outwardly extendingprojections, and the inner threaded member is secured to saidprojections.

5. A connector assembly according to claim 4 wherein the tubular bodyand inner threaded member together form a subunit fixed axially on theline section, and the centering sleeve is fixed to the outer couplingring for movement axially therewith and movable into telescopingrelation with the other line section when the connector units areconnected.

6. A connector assembly according to claim 5 wherein the centeringsleeve is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slotsreceiving the projections on the tubular body.

7. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein each unit includesa tubular body secured to the line section and the coupling sleeve isconnected to the tubular body, the coupling ring is mounted on thecoupling sleeve and movable from its own coupling sleeve to the couplingsleeve in the other unit.

8. A connector assembly according to claim 1 and including meansoperative for normally retaining each outer coupling ring againstrotation, and each means being manually actuatable for releasing thecorresponding outer coupling ring, the outer coupling rings being fullyrotatable when so released.

9. A connector assembly according to claim 8 wherein the retaining meansincludes an axially movable and non-rotatable reaction ring, meansbiasing the reaction ring forwardly into non-rotating engagement withthe outer coupling ring when the latter is in retracted position.

10. A connector assembly for use in connecting a pair of line sectionsincluding identical connector units on the sections, each unit includinga tubular body mounted on the end of the line section and having anaxially forward end surface, the tubular body having a pair ofcircumferentially discontinuous projections extending outwardly andhaving external threads, a coupling sleeve telescoped over the tubularbody and having inturned elements non-rotatingly engaging saidprojections and having external threads adjacent its forward end, andits forward end terminating no farther than the forward end of thetubular body, the tubular body and coupling sleeve thus forming asub-unit fixed axially of the line section, an outer coupling ringmounted on the tubular body and movable axially thereof and thus axiallyof the line section and having at its forward end internal threadsengaging the external threads at the forward end of the coupling sleeve,and having a retracted position removed from the forward end of thetubular body and also from the forward end of the external threads onthe coupling sleeve, the outer coupling ring by threading on its relatedcoupling sleeve being projectible beyond that coupling sleeve and thusbeyond the end of the tubular body and thereby beyond the end of theline section, and by further movement threadable onto the externalthreads on the coupling sleeve in the other unit, whereby to secure theline sections together.

11. A connector assembly according to claim 10 and including a centeringsleeve, wherein the tubular body and centering sleeve have interengagingconformations preventing relative rotational movement but enablingrelative axial movement,

and the centering sleeve is connected with the coupling ring and movableaxially therewith.

12. A connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein the tubular bodydefines an axially forward end surface forming the effective end surfaceof the line section, and including a centering sleeve slidably mountedon the tubular body, the tubular body and centering sleeve havingcircumferentially discontinuous, interfitting projections and slotsoperatively preventing relative rotation but enabling axial relativemovement therebetween, an outer coupling ring connected with thecentering sleeve and movable axially therewith but movable rotationallyrelative thereto, and means on each line section including means fixedaxially of the line section for operative cooperation by the couplingring of the other unit for threading thereonto and correspondinglymoving the centering sleeve telescopically over the other line section.

13. A connector assembly according to claim 12 wherein the line sectionsare of co-axial cable having an outer conductor on which the tubularbody is mounted, and an inner condoctor, and wherein each unit includesan annular insulator interposed axially between the tubular body and theline proper mechanically radially positioning the inner conductorrelative to the outer conductor.

14. A connector assembly for use in connecting a pair of line sections,including identical connector units one on each of the sections, eachunit including an inner tubular body telescoped over the end of the linesection and having an inner annular shoulder engaging the end of theline section, and forming with the line section an effectively integralextension thereof, the tubular body having intermediate its ends aplurality of circumferentially spaced and discontinuous radiallyoutwardly extending projections, a centering sleeve telescoped on thetubular body and having slots receiving said projections, a couplingsleeve telescoped over the centering sleeve and having connection withthe projections on the tubular body preventing both rotational and axialmovement, and together therewith forming a sub-unit fixed on the linesection relative to axial movement thereof, the coupling sleeve alsohaving external threads adjacent its forward end, the coupling sleeve inits fixed position having a forward end no farther forward than theexposed outer end of the corresponding tubular body, an outer couplingring telescoped over the foregoing elements and having at its rearwardend an internal flange engaging the centering sleeve, a retainer ringrearwardly of the internal flange and fitted in the centering sleeve tolimit rearward movement of the coupling ring relative to the tubularbody, the coupling ring having internal threads at its forward endengageable with the external threads on the forward end of the couplingsleeve, the parts being so dimensioned and proportioned that thecoupling ring can be backed off the external threads on the forward endof the coupling sleeve, the coupling ring being threadable on thethreads on the coupling sleeve throughout the threads on the latter andtherebeyond and onto the threads of the coupling sleeve in the otherunit, whereby to secure the two line sections together, and the outercoupling ring when being so threaded, carrying the centering sleeveforwardly beyond the axially outer end of the body and into telescopingrelation with the tubular body in the other unit.

15. A connector assembly according to claim 14 wherein the radialprojections on the tubular body together are no greater in circumferencethan onehalf of the circumference of the tubular body.

16. A connector assembly according to claim 15 wherein the tubular bodyhas an internal rearwardly facing shoulder of annular configurationcontinuously engaging the forward end of the line section.

17. A connector assembly according to claim 16 wherein an annularinsulator member is interposed between the internal shoulder on thetubular body and the forward end of the line section.

18. A connector assembly according to claim 17 wherein the line is aco-axial electrical cable, including an outer conductor and a centerconductor, and wherein the annular insulator member is radially centeredbetween the inner and outer conductors.

19. A connector assembly for use in connecting sections of a cablehaving forward end surfaces and having outer and center conductors,means mechanically and rigidly interengagingly connecting the outerconductors, the center conductors having axial, end-opening apertures,center contacts in the apertures and having forward end surfaces, andhaving abrupt rearward shoulders engaging the forward surfaces of thecenter conductors, and the center contacts having yieldable elementsacting against the surfaces of the apertures therewithin operative forbiasing the center contacts forwardly toward the position in which theirforward end surfaces project forwardly beyond the forward end surfacesof the center conductors.

20. A connector assembly construction according to claim l9 wherein eachaperture has a conical inner end surface, each center contact includes abutton of tubular shape having a longitudinal split and axially inwardlyextending fingers, the center conductor and center contact havinginterengaging conformations extending circumferentially and enablingrelative axial movement into axially interlocking relation, and thedimensions of the aperture and fingers being such that the fin gersinterengage the conical surface and that interengagement biases thecontact axially forwardly into engagement with the opposed contact.

I i l i

1. A connector assembly for use in connecting a pair of line sections,including identical connector units on the sections, each unit includinga threaded inner coupling sleeve surrounding the line section in spacedrelation thereto and fixed axially thereon, and a threaded outercoupling ring on the inner coupling sleeve movable axially on the linesection forwardly from a retracted position to an advanced positionwherein it projects forwardly beyond the end of the inner couplingsleeve, a centering sleeve between the line section and the innerthreaded coupling sleeve and closely fitting the line section, the outercoupling ring being threadable onto the inner coupling sleeve on theother line section, and when so threaded being operative for moving thecentering sleeve into telescoping relation over adjacent portions ofboth line sections, whereby the outer coupling ring and the innercoupling sleeve on which it is threaded, and the centering sleeve intelescoping relation as stated, form a continuous composite componentengaging both sections of the line and form an effective continuousrigid line of the sections.
 2. A connector assembly according to claim 1wherein the outer threaded member is threaded on the inner member of itsown unit, and positionable axially rearwardly from the forward endthereof, whereby to enable threading of the outer member of either unitonto that inner threaded member of the other unit.
 3. A connectorassembly according to claim 1 wherein each inner threaded member issecured on its line section and has an axially forward terminal portionforming an effective forward end of the line section, the two linesections being arranged for alignment and end-to-end abutment of theinner threaded members, the outer threaded members being individuallymovable each beyond its own inner threaded member and into telescopingrelation to the other, whereby to encompass the two inner threadedmembers to form a continuous effectively single line.
 4. A connectorassembly according to claim 1 wherein each unit includes a tubular bodysecured to the line section and having a plurality of circumferentiallydiscontinuous radially outwardly extending projections, and the innerthreaded member is secured to said projections.
 5. A connector assemblyaccording to claim 4 wherein the tubular body and inner threaded membertogether form a sub-unit fixed axially on the line section, and thecentering sleeve is fixed to the outer coupling ring for movementaxially therewith and movable into telescoping relation with the otherline section when the connector units are connected.
 6. A connectorassembly according to claim 5 wherein the centering sleeve is providedwith a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots receiving theprojections on the tubular body.
 7. A connector assembly according toclaim 1 wherein each unit includes a tubular body secured to the linesection and the coupling sleeve is connected to the tubular body, thecoupling ring is mounted on the coupling sleeve and movable from its owncoupling sleeve to the coupling sleeve in the other unit.
 8. A connectorassembly according to claim 1 and including means operative for normallyretaining each outer coupling ring against rotation, and each meansbeing manually actuatable for releasing the corresponding outer couplingring, the outer coupling riNgs being fully rotatable when so released.9. A connector assembly according to claim 8 wherein the retaining meansincludes an axially movable and non-rotatable reaction ring, meansbiasing the reaction ring forwardly into non-rotating engagement withthe outer coupling ring when the latter is in retracted position.
 10. Aconnector assembly for use in connecting a pair of line sectionsincluding identical connector units on the sections, each unit includinga tubular body mounted on the end of the line section and having anaxially forward end surface, the tubular body having a pair ofcircumferentially discontinuous projections extending outwardly andhaving external threads, a coupling sleeve telescoped over the tubularbody and having inturned elements non-rotatingly engaging saidprojections and having external threads adjacent its forward end, andits forward end terminating no farther than the forward end of thetubular body, the tubular body and coupling sleeve thus forming asub-unit fixed axially of the line section, an outer coupling ringmounted on the tubular body and movable axially thereof and thus axiallyof the line section and having at its forward end internal threadsengaging the external threads at the forward end of the coupling sleeve,and having a retracted position removed from the forward end of thetubular body and also from the forward end of the external threads onthe coupling sleeve, the outer coupling ring by threading on its relatedcoupling sleeve being projectible beyond that coupling sleeve and thusbeyond the end of the tubular body and thereby beyond the end of theline section, and by further movement threadable onto the externalthreads on the coupling sleeve in the other unit, whereby to secure theline sections together.
 11. A connector assembly according to claim 10and including a centering sleeve, wherein the tubular body and centeringsleeve have interengaging conformations preventing relative rotationalmovement but enabling relative axial movement, and the centering sleeveis connected with the coupling ring and movable axially therewith.
 12. Aconnector assembly according to claim 10 wherein the tubular bodydefines an axially forward end surface forming the effective end surfaceof the line section, and including a centering sleeve slidably mountedon the tubular body, the tubular body and centering sleeve havingcircumferentially discontinuous, interfitting projections and slotsoperatively preventing relative rotation but enabling axial relativemovement therebetween, an outer coupling ring connected with thecentering sleeve and movable axially therewith but movable rotationallyrelative thereto, and means on each line section including means fixedaxially of the line section for operative cooperation by the couplingring of the other unit for threading thereonto and correspondinglymoving the centering sleeve telescopically over the other line section.13. A connector assembly according to claim 12 wherein the line sectionsare of co-axial cable having an outer conductor on which the tubularbody is mounted, and an inner conductor, and wherein each unit includesan annular insulator interposed axially between the tubular body and theline proper mechanically radially positioning the inner conductorrelative to the outer conductor.
 14. A connector assembly for use inconnecting a pair of line sections, including identical connector unitsone on each of the sections, each unit including an inner tubular bodytelescoped over the end of the line section and having an inner annularshoulder engaging the end of the line section, and forming with the linesection an effectively integral extension thereof, the tubular bodyhaving intermediate its ends a plurality of circumferentially spaced anddiscontinuous radially outwardly extending projections, a centeringsleeve telescoped on the tubular body and having slots receiving saidprojections, a coupling sleeve telescoped over the centering sleeve andhavIng connection with the projections on the tubular body preventingboth rotational and axial movement, and together therewith forming asub-unit fixed on the line section relative to axial movement thereof,the coupling sleeve also having external threads adjacent its forwardend, the coupling sleeve in its fixed position having a forward end nofarther forward than the exposed outer end of the corresponding tubularbody, an outer coupling ring telescoped over the foregoing elements andhaving at its rearward end an internal flange engaging the centeringsleeve, a retainer ring rearwardly of the internal flange and fitted inthe centering sleeve to limit rearward movement of the coupling ringrelative to the tubular body, the coupling ring having internal threadsat its forward end engageable with the external threads on the forwardend of the coupling sleeve, the parts being so dimensioned andproportioned that the coupling ring can be backed off the externalthreads on the forward end of the coupling sleeve, the coupling ringbeing threadable on the threads on the coupling sleeve throughout thethreads on the latter and therebeyond and onto the threads of thecoupling sleeve in the other unit, whereby to secure the two linesections together, and the outer coupling ring when being so threaded,carrying the centering sleeve forwardly beyond the axially outer end ofthe body and into telescoping relation with the tubular body in theother unit.
 15. A connector assembly according to claim 14 wherein theradial projections on the tubular body together are no greater incircumference than onehalf of the circumference of the tubular body. 16.A connector assembly according to claim 15 wherein the tubular body hasan internal rearwardly facing shoulder of annular configurationcontinuously engaging the forward end of the line section.
 17. Aconnector assembly according to claim 16 wherein an annular insulatormember is interposed between the internal shoulder on the tubular bodyand the forward end of the line section.
 18. A connector assemblyaccording to claim 17 wherein the line is a co-axial electrical cable,including an outer conductor and a center conductor, and wherein theannular insulator member is radially centered between the inner andouter conductors.
 19. A connector assembly for use in connectingsections of a cable having forward end surfaces and having outer andcenter conductors, means mechanically and rigidly interengaginglyconnecting the outer conductors, the center conductors having axial,end-opening apertures, center contacts in the apertures and havingforward end surfaces, and having abrupt rearward shoulders engaging theforward surfaces of the center conductors, and the center contactshaving yieldable elements acting against the surfaces of the aperturestherewithin operative for biasing the center contacts forwardly towardthe position in which their forward end surfaces project forwardlybeyond the forward end surfaces of the center conductors.
 20. Aconnector assembly construction according to claim 19 wherein eachaperture has a conical inner end surface, each center contact includes abutton of tubular shape having a longitudinal split and axially inwardlyextending fingers, the center conductor and center contact havinginterengaging conformations extending circumferentially and enablingrelative axial movement into axially interlocking relation, and thedimensions of the aperture and fingers being such that the fingersinterengage the conical surface and that interengagement biases thecontact axially forwardly into engagement with the opposed contact.